Donald Trump has shared AI-generated footage on social media days after a 23-year-old man was mauled to death by a tiger in Yorkshire. The US President posted the video on Truth Social, showing him chasing a lion and tackling it to the ground. The superimposed Trump then stands up and hugs the animal with a smile on his face.
Background to the attack
William Chapman died after climbing into the Amur tiger enclosure at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, on Saturday (October 10). He was seen wearing headphones, pacing and singing before climbing into the enclosure at around 1.30pm.
Witnesses reported that Mr Chapman, from High Wycombe, then knelt on all fours before starting to pray. He recorded a video of himself approaching the 200kg tiger, named Altai, who moments after inflicted fatal injuries on him.
Family's plea and Trump's response
The area was evacuated and emergency services rushed to the scene but Mr Chapman was pronounced dead. His family released a tribute on Tuesday (October 13), describing him as a "bright, warm and engaging young man". They also noted that he had suffered from "significant mental illness over a number of years".
They asked the public to stop sharing distressing social media footage of the attack. However, Trump posted the AI footage of him and a tiger, resembling Altai and the attack on Mr Chapman, on Truth Social at around 5am on Wednesday morning. He previously shared footage of the real attack, writing: "Don't ever miss with nature. President DJT."
Family statement and police support
Mr Chapman's family said in a statement: "William was a bright, warm and engaging young man whom his family dearly loved - and William loved them back." They then asked for privacy, saying "the publication and circulation of deeply offensive media content is causing them severe distress at an exceptionally vulnerable time".
They continued: "The family are utterly devastated by their loss and are struggling to come to terms with what has happened. The family are hopeful that the relevant authorities will do their upmost to get to the bottom of why our amazing son did what he did."
South Yorkshire Police said Chapman's family are being supported by specialist officers. The force previously asked the public not to share "distressing footage" of the incident.
